First Sea Shipment of Indian Pomegranates to the US Marks a New Era for Farmers: Piyush Goyal
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Synopsis
Union Minister Piyush Goyal commended APEDA for facilitating the first commercial sea shipment of Indian Bhagwa pomegranates to the US, signaling new opportunities for farmers and showcasing India's horticulture export potential.
Key Takeaways
- First commercial sea shipment of Indian pomegranates to the US.
- Facilitated by APEDA, enhancing farmers' opportunities.
- Shipment includes 4,620 boxes, weighing about 14 tonnes.
- Quality praised upon arrival in New York.
- Potential for Indian pomegranates in the US market.
New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday praised the initiatives of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for successfully executing the initial commercial sea shipment of the renowned Indian Bhagwa variety of pomegranates to the US.
In a message on the X social media platform, the Union Minister expressed that this achievement will unlock new avenues for farmers to capitalize on the increasing global demand for premium agri-products.
“Kudos to @APEDADOC for making the first commercial sea shipment of the esteemed Indian Bhagwa variety of pomegranates from Maharashtra to the US a reality,” remarked the minister.
This significant achievement not only showcases the nation’s expanding capabilities in horticulture exports but will also provide fresh prospects for farmers to meet the surging global appetite for top-notch agri-products,” he added.
The first shipment included 4,620 boxes of Indian pomegranates, weighing around 14 tonnes, which successfully arrived in New York during the second week of March, just five weeks after departing from Ahilyanagar in Maharashtra.
The shipment was received with great excitement in the US. The quality upon arrival was described as “excellent,” and customers were impressed by the stunning appearance and superior flavor of the “Indian Bhagwa variety of pomegranates.”
This shipment signifies the potential for Indian pomegranates to become a leading choice in the competitive US market, as stated by the Commerce Ministry.
“The government is actively promoting Indian fresh fruits for international markets. APEDA has been instrumental in backing the export of Indian fruits such as mangoes and pomegranates to the USA via funding the pre-clearance program,” noted APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev.
Indian farmers stand to gain significantly when their fruits enter prestigious international markets like the USA. Indian mango exports have already reached approximately 3,500 tonnes annually, and we anticipate that pomegranates will achieve similar success in the coming years,” he added.
